Late summer in the Northeast can mean many different things: temperatures cooling, people returning or starting that last summer vacation, students preparing for the return to school or college. If you live in New York’s Capital Region area, you are probably thinking: jazz, Lark Street, Apples, Wine and Italian food. Why? Because those are some of the late summer festivals being held in the area over the next two weeks.
The following are a list of early Fall festivals taking place in the Albany, NY area.
1. Port of Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival, Albany Riverfront Park Amphitheatre, Saturday, September 10, 2011 Noon to 8 p.m
. If you thought that Jazz festivals in the area ended after the Saratoga Jazz festival in July, you could not be more wrong. Albany’s Riverfront/Corning Preserve area will come alive with the 10 th annual festival which will feature local regional and national acts such as: Michael Benedict & Bopitude, Simone, Jeff Coffin Mu’ tet, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and Kevin Eubanks. Inaddition to the musical entertainment there will be children’s activities, food, childrens activities and fireworks. No admission charge and free parking. For more information website
www.albanyevents.org or 518-434-2032.
2. Sixth Annual Little Italy Street Festival, North Jay Street, Schenectady, Saturday, September 10, 2011 Noon to 9 p.m.
The sixth annual festival will feature home made wine tasting contest, Italian cookie baking contest, food, music, entertainment and children’s activities. The three bands scheduled to perform are: Grand Central Station, Happy Daze and Benny Cannavo & the Accents. Free admission. For more information, call 518-382-5147.
3. 30 th Annual LarkFest, Lark Street, Albany, Saturday, September 17, 2011 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
. The event, which is one of New York State’s largest street festivals, will feature activities for all ages including visual arts, music, poetry, music, and childrens activities. The live musical acts include: Alex Torres & Latin Orchestra, Ben Karis-Nix, Blotto, The Landlines, Severe Severe, We are Jeneric, Cody Beebe & the Crooks, Faces on Film, Motopony, Graffiti 6, Jason Spooner, Diego Garcia and Mike Doughty. One event of interest is the “Silent Disco” which will feature DJs who will be competing for listeners who will participate with specially programmed headsets. Free admission. For more information: website:
www.larkstreet.org or 518-434-3861.
4. 18 th Annual Capital Region Apple and Wine Festival, Saturday, September 17, 2011 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, September 18, 2011 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont, NY.
The family style festival includes lectures, cooking demonstrations, quilt shows, children activities, rides, arts and crafts, car and motorcycle show, music, food, haunted house and of course wine tasting. General admission is $8. Children are free when accompanied by an adult. Event will be held rain or shine. There is also free parking. For more information go to website:
www.appleandwinefestival.com .
The above is just a sampling of what is available to do in the late summer season, so whatever you do—enjoy the season!